Independent Baptist (IB) Kevin Harris recently came under public scrutiny in Australia for his dangerous views on rape and child abuse. The responses from IB leaders have varied from enthusiastically rallying around him to reticent disapproval. One of the key arguments that I've heard many times over the last two weeks is the notion that IBs are independent, and therefore not obligated to take any sort of stand against this evil. But few, if any, outside the IB movement itself are buying that. And for good reason. It's simply not credible. The 60 Minutes programme (Part 1, Part 2) The Files Extra Minutes (more of Kevin, women in the movement, how to help the abused), (access outside Australia: 1, 2, 3) Consider the old duck test. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like... Read more

At 9.25pm on Thursday evening, Charlie Haddad, pastor of Grace Bible Baptist Church (an IB church) put a statement "by Kevin Harris" up on his facebook wall. You can read Kevin's statement here. It's odd to me that the statement has been released in this way. I would have expected it to be put up on the Illawarra Community Baptist Church website. Or released to the press. Instead, a buddy in the movement puts it on facebook. I get the sense that this is not a statement for Australia, but a statement for the insiders. The IBs. You know, the ones who don't act like a cult at all... My response to Charlie's statement First, I unequivocally condemn any hint of violence against Kevin or anyone else. Such violence would itself be evil, criminal, and reprehensible. That is not how we handle disag... Read more

I've just been through a very intense 48 hours since the airing of the 60 Minutes report on my family. The last thing I want to do right now is sit down and analyse the response to this programme, but it needs to be done. Links First, let me give you the links you need to know about. The 60 Minutes programme (Part 1, Part 2) The Files Extra Minutes (more of Kevin, women in the movement, how to help the abused), (access outside Australia: 1, 2, 3) Thanks Second, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the hundreds of notes and comments of support for Mum and the family at this time. I'd say 80-85% of the response has been positive and it has been very comforting to know that we're not alone in this. The Australian IB movement Let me be very clear. I am not speaking of the American Indepen... Read more

Scott Wendal was interviewed for the 60 Minutes programme last night. He came out looking fairly good. Unfortunately, his behaviour behind the scenes has been a demonstration of the sort of behaviour that put him and the Independent Baptists in the spotlight in the first place. He wrote an email before the programme aired which can only be described as disturbing. This was distributed to the Valley Forge Baptist Temple leadership (to be distributed throughout the church) You may read the email here: Scott Wendal to VFBT. I wrote a response to him which he declined to pass along to the church [EDIT: I'm told he later read part of the email in a church meeting]. I attempted to limit the audience by emailing the same list he emailed, but unfortunately that list is protected so I am left with... Read more

Tonight at 8.45pm Australian EST, 60 Minutes will be telling my mother's story which is really ultimately my family's story. I encourage you to watch it. I was interviewed for the story, but have not yet seen it. I will wait until after the story airs to comment further. 60 Minutes Australia The Files Grace to you. Read more